University of Virginia Library


143

4.

“When my heart is in heaviness I will think upon God.”

But in that dreadful secret not to press,
And with no vain presuming confidence
Of what must be at our departure hence,
While sitting at death's portal we confess
The heart-felt sense of our unworthiness
Of aught but pains; then with no vain pretence
The Spirit Which is veiled from outward sense
May in the sight of his own nothingness
Comfort the mourner; for, in very deed,
We know full well the hour of pressing need
Is the time ever chosen for relief,
And prayer hath comfort in the hour of grief;
Such grace hath Baptism unto suffering given;
Yet Love still fears on verge of Hell or Heaven.